Azerkhalcha to revive carpet industry in Azerbaijan

Azerkhalcha Company in Azerbaijan plans to revive the country’s weaving traditions and reintroduce its hand-woven carpets to the world. The company recently opened its first branch in the Horadiz settlement of the Fizuli region and plans to launch nine branches by end of 2017. The aim is to set up 30 outlets employing 5,000 people.

The nine outlets of the company, established in May 2016, will come up in Shamkir, Gazakh, Agstafa, Tovuz, Agdam, Guba, Khachmaz, Ismayilli and Gabala. About 100 carpets manufactured at the Horadiz branch were exhibited at various international trade shows, including one in Hanover in January 2017, Azerkhalcha president Vidadi Muradov told.

With more outlets, the company can ensure mass export of carpets, Muradov said. Estimates show that carpet-weaving will become one of the most profitable spheres of the non-oil sector, he added.

The country has seven carpet producing regions — Baku, Shirvan, Guba, Tabriz, Karabakh, Ganja and Gazakh. Each region has its own technique, typical patterns and colours. Wool is the major raw material.